Joy > Tragedy

A little bit of a different post for today.

Today for uni, one of my classes went to Sydney Jewish Museum in Darlinghurst. Other classes were going to places like the Zoo and Powerhouse Museum so i felt a little bummed at first, but then thought it could actually be quite interesting.

Interesting it was.

Our tour guide for the 2 hours we spent there was a survivor from the Holocaust. A German Jew called Eddie. He was a pretty incredible guy. The stories he had were chilling and truly disturbing. He spent time in about 3 or 4 concentration camps including Aushwitz. Some of the displays in the museum really made you feel ill and many people in our group were deeply moved. It just highlighted how massively fallen our world is. Truly horrifying.

However what amazed me was our guide. He had a life that i am sure will be much harder than mine ever will be yet he was possibly one of the most joyful persons i have ever met. His love for people, and care for people was amazing considering what people had done to him. He swore to never step foot on German soil again, so he still holds deep feelings against what happened to him, but his message of love and acceptance and care was very powerful. I'm rambling a bit here but it was just incredible to see a man who went through true terror and to now be overflowing with happiness even though he relives the horrors of his past every day telling his story at the museum. What brought him happiness was his family and the love that is encapsulated in that.

Just something to ponder perhaps.

If family can give us such joy then how much joy should the fact that our heavenly father has given us life through Christ. Our hope is sure. This sure hope should bring us joy.